An Effective Policy - Essay Example

Policy Analysis

Policies are implemented to improve the livelihoods of citizens in a country. To achieve this, the processes of drafting and enactment ensure that the policy will be able to address injustices that the citizens face. An effective policy should thus incorporate all issues within its scope for it to be of benefit to the target populations. Since the establishment of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the act has undergone several changes that are aimed at improving its ability in promoting the social welfare of all citizens in the country (The United States Department of Justice., 2018). The increasing rate of discrimination and violation of human rights in the recent past in the United States has increased the relevance of the policy in the country, more specifically to the African Americans populations. Over the past five decades, the policy has been useful in addressing issues of injustices that African Americans have been facing through which it has promoted inclusivity and minimized discrimination of African Americans (ABA, 2016). Policy analysis of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will involve providing a background of the development of the policy, determining the effectiveness and feasibility of the policy as well as identifying the constraints that inhibit the policy from reaching the target population.

Background of the Development of the Policy

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was proposed by President John F. Kennedy on June 11, 1963. The proposal was in a report to the American People on Civil Rights, to minimize and eventually eliminate different forms of discrimination that citizens faced based on their religion, race, and gender, social and economic classes (The United States Department of Justice, 2018). Through this proposal, Kennedy stated that the policy should give all citizens the right to be served in public facilities, hotels, retail stores, restaurants, theaters, and similar establishments and ensure that their right to vote is protected. During this period, the main policy that dictated how issues of discrimination are to be addressed was the Civil Rights Act of 1875. However, the policy was not efficient in protecting all citizens since it had been stripped off most of its power through Civil Right Cases (ABA, 2016). The main case that had a big impact on the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was the 1883 Civil Rights Case which led to the Supreme Court ruling that Congress had no power to prohibit discrimination practiced in the private sector.

After the aftermath of the Birmingham campaign and the increasing number of protests and demonstrations in the southern regions of the United States, Kennedy intensified his actions in ensuring that the proposal is enacted. In the spring of 1963, black riots and racial tensions had increased in the United States, a factor that led to the issuance of warning by President Kennedy to the Congress that if they fail to pass the civil rights bill, another civil war will be inevitable in the country. Discussions on the enactment of the civil rights bill commenced in August 1963 after the ‘Match on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,’ in which case, discriminatory practices by unions, private companies, and government agencies were to be banned (OASAM, 2020). The policy was eventually put into law in 1964 as an improved version of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Effectiveness and Feasibility of the Policy

Economic Effectiveness

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is suitable for promoting economic development in the country. The policy resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which ensures that the allocation and use of environmental resources are done fairly and effectively (EPA, 2016). The program offers funding to local environmental programs which makes enforcement and permitting decisions. Since 1992, EPA has shown its commitment to collaborate with the state, local leaders, community leaders, and businesses at the lowest levels of the society to promote economic redevelopment and fairness in matters relating to public health and the environment. The program has thus been of benefit to the country’s economy since it helps in promoting balanced economic growth in all regions. Additionally, the program ensures that the country experiences sustainability in resource allocation, thereby ensuring that the country can maintain its strong economic position in the future.

Since the enactment of the policy, the rate of discrimination in the process of employment has significantly decreased. As a result, citizens of all races are employed and allowed to invest in different parts of the country. Additionally, wage determination s not based on an individual’s background but rather their skills in their respective areas of the profession (EPA.gov, 2017). The policy has thus helped in promoting fairness in income and wealth distribution, a key factor in determining the rate of economic development in a country. Thus, the policy has been able to provide citizens with economic power that has not only improved their living standards but also the rate of America’s economic development.

Political Effectiveness

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has had a great positive impact on political growth and stabilization in the United States. The policy started being implemented at a time where the country was experiencing political unrest characterized by riots and demonstrations undertaken by African Americans (SlidShare, 2020). By incorporating proposals from the demonstrating populations into the Civil Rights proposal, chaos was reduced in the country with minimal riots and demonstrations in the country. The policy has been able to ensure that the United States does not experience civil wars as citizens try to fight for their rights as witnessed in other countries that have high rates of discrimination. Through this, the country has been able to have good diplomatic relations with other nations across the world due to the good image that the policy has portrayed. Besides minimizing political unrest in the country, the policy has created a favorable environment for individuals from all races to participate in politics (Congress.gov, 2019). Hence, individuals from different communities including African Americans participate in politics through which they voice the needs of members of their society for consideration in the country.

Social Effectiveness

Social interaction plays a significant role in determining the success of any given society. The policy has promoted social interaction among individuals of all races through the elimination of barriers that would have hindered their interaction (GAO, 2013). By eliminating discrimination by both public and private agencies, the policy promotes cohesion of the citizens, a factor that contributes to increased exchange of ideas hence development. Unlike in previous years when African Americans were lived and worked in specific areas, the policy has increased the rate of movement to the extent of having people of different racial backgrounds living together in harmony (ABA, 2016). Elimination of discrimination based on race, color, or country of origin has increased the rate of cultural exchange in the country, with people from all races thereby benefiting from individuals from other social backgrounds.

Constraints Inhibiting the Policy from Effectively Reaching the Target Population

Lack of Political Will

One constraint that has limited the ability of the policy in minimizing discrimination against African Americans is the lack of political will. For a policy to be effective, political leaders play a central role in ensuring that they show by example how the policy ought to be implemented by other citizens. However, this is not always the case. Political leaders have been accused of being unfair in the political process with some of them practicing racism in their campaigns as well as when interacting with their citizens (US EPA, 2016). Through such actions, citizens are encouraged to continue discriminating against those from other backgrounds hence being a hindrance to the success of the policy (SlidShare, 2020). Additionally, subsequent proposals to make changes that would further strengthen the policy have failed over the past years due to the unwillingness of political leaders in promoting fairness amongst their citizens. For this reason, different aspects that limit the policy’s effectiveness are left intact with possible changes that could make it more effective being discarded.

Lack of Confidence in the System

The success of the policy depends on collaboration between all individuals in the country. With the judiciary being the main player in the implementation process, all complaints are supposed to be presented in courts for the policy to be put into action. However, ABA (2016) argues that most citizens have no confidence in the system due to the perception that the judiciary is not as just as it is supposed to be. The perception that people have with the judiciary is based on some previous rulings which have shown elements of discrimination with the judiciary favoring the offender. As a result, most cases of discrimination end up being unreported thus being a constraint to the success of the policy in helping the people.

Conclusion

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has played a big role in minimizing discrimination against African Americans in the country. Since the proposal of the policy in 1964, both the citizens and the country have benefited through the promotion of fairness in the country. The policy is effective since it has contributed to economic growth and development through the EPA, promoted political stability, and fostered social interaction amongst citizens from different backgrounds. The main constraints that limit the ability of the policy to reach and be of benefit to the African Americans are lack of political will and lack of confidence with the justice system. Thus, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 can be more effective if the two constraints are put into consideration through which it will further promote fairness in the country.